Cutter-chain machine for use in mining coal and other minerals



Dec. 30,. 1941.

J. B MAVOR 2,268,260 CUTTER-CHAIN MACHINE FOR USE IN MINING GOA L AND OTHER MINERALS Filed March 1, 1939 fie. 6.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 u um Dec. 30, 1941.

J. B. MAVOR CUTTER-CHAIN MACHINE FOR USE IN MINING GOAL AND OTHER MINERALS Filed March 1, 19:59 s Sheets-Sheet 2 IIYVENTOR.

, ATTORNEY! Dec. 30, 1941".

CUTTERCHAIN MACHINE FOR UsE IN MINING COAL AND OTHER MINERALS Filed March 1, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Hz; :3. I 4 1y 19 10 35' 34 3 L g Q \\\'\\1 30 I 3.9

1 3 33 0 36' v v V p k 3'- I J g lbw/77$ J. B. MAVoR 2,268,260

Patented Dec. 30, 1941 CUTTER-CHAIN MACHINE FOR .USE IN -MIN ING COAL AND OTHER MINERALS John Bridie Mavor, Glasgow, Scotland, assignor to Mavor and Coulson, Limited,"-Glasgow, Scotland . Application March 1, 1939, Serial No. 259,159

In Great Britain March 4, 1938 16 Claims.

This invention refers to cutter-chain machines for use in mining coal and other minerals.

In the specification of British Patent No. 329,837, granted to Mavor and Coulson, Limited and another, there is described a device for dealing with cuttings which emerge with the cutterchain of a cutter-chain mining machine, the device in one construction comprising a helical conveyor operating transversely at the trailing side of the cutter-chain. Cuttings brought out by the chain are thrown 01f by thechain as it passes round the sprocket Wheel and the device removes the cuttings from the vicinity of the cutter-chain and so to a large extent prevents the cuttings from being carried by the ingoing strand of the chain back into the cut, besides reducing the amount of dust raised and controlling thedepositien of the cuttings.

In mining machines with which this invention is concerned, either of the two edges of the cutter-jib may be the leading vor cutting edge. The change from one edge to the other as the .cutting edge necessitates reversal of the direction of circulation of the cutter-chain on the jib and reversal of the drive from the chain-driving motor.

In some cases a helical cuttings conveyor arranged to operate in a longitudinal direction, instead of in a transverse direction, may be advantageous, and according to this invention, a con veyor arrangement is provided comprising a conveyor of helical type operating with its axis in a longitudinal direction relative to the machine and mechanism transmitting power from the motor means of the machine and applying it to drive the conveyor, the conveyor arrangement being designed to effect conveyance of cuttings rearwardly from the vicinity of the cutter-chain for both directions of circulation of the cutter-chain and both directions of operation of the motor means.

The direction of advance of the machine when cutting is, it will be understood, considered as being the longitudinal direction. but the term longitudinal direction as applied to the direction of operation of the helical conveyor is used in a general sense and does not imply that the conveyor necessarily operates strictly in the direction of advance of the machine. The line of operation may appreciably deviate therefrom, say as much as 40, while still sweeping the cuttings in a direction which is in general longitudinal.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing .a coal cutting machine with the helical conveyor 'at tached.

Figure 3 is a view showing the conveyor attaching and driving mechanism of this form, the view being a transverse verticalsection.

"Figure 4 is a sideelevation of this form of the machine.

Figure 5v is a plan view showing a second form of the invention.

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical section showing a third form of the invention.

Figure '7 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation and showing this third form of the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates the general arrangement of a coal cutting machinehaving this invention attached thereto. In this figure A denotesthe body of a coal cutting machine and E the arm carrying the cutter chain. The helical conveyor and its drive are positioned on the machine at C.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show a construction in which a helical conveyor is arranged end-on to the cutter-chain of the machine A. The apparatus comprisesa helical conveyor B, a carrier C, and an auxiliary gear box D at the rear of the machine A.

The auxiliary gear box is open at its two lateral ends and presents to each side a coupling or clutch part to act as a driving connection for the helical conveyorrB, the couplings of the auxiliary gear box deriving their motion from the crown wheel on the cutter-chain driving sprocket wheel shaft :within the gear head of the machine, as hereinafter more fully explained.

The conveyor B comprises a substantially cylindrical housing 2, a helix 3 on a shaft 4 within the housing 2, a gear case 5, and a tubular extension 6 from the gear ease 5. Housing 2 is open at its forward end and has discharge openings 1 in its peripheral wall. The shaft 4 extends into the gear case 5 through a conical shield 8 and the gear case 5 contains a train of pinion wheels for the drive of the shaft 4. Under the shaft 4 between the openings I there is a. plough or deflector 9.

The carrier C is constructed in the form of a clamp to grip the auxiliary gear box D, for which purpose it comprises a tubular part I0 and a transmission casing I2 joined by a connecting piece l3. Within the transmission casing 12 there is :a shaft M which engages at its inner end with the adjacent coupling in the auxiliary gear box D. This shaft [4 carries a bevel wheel [5 which meshes with a bevel wheel IE on a longitudinal shaft i1 extending rearwards beyond the casing l2 and carrying at its rear end a pinion wheel IS. The conveyor unit B is secured to the carrier C by connection of the tubular extension 6 to the transmission casing [2, the pinion wheel l8 meshing with the uppermost pinion wheel of the gear train in the gear case 5. The carrier of its ends a positive-engagement clutch coupling The bevel wheel 35 meshes with a bevel 36. wheel 31 on the rear end of a longitudina1 shaft 38 which extends from within the body A of the mining machine into the auxiliary gear box and H which is driven from the motor which drives the cutter-chain. When the carrier is clamped to the gear box D as shown in Figure 3, a clutch coupling 39 at the inner end of the carrier shaft gear case 26 is removably attached to the carrier C for purposes of fitting the conveyor at the other side of the machine when the carrier C has been reversed.

The invention is equally applicable to overcutting machines, i. e. machines in which the cutter-chain cuts at a level substantially above that of the under side of the machine body.

In some overcutting machines, the cutter-jib is not mounted above the body, and the arrangement is then simply equivalent to that shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 but with the machine turned upside down.

Where the cutter-jib is mounted above the level of the machine body by means of a turret or equivalent, extending upwards from the gear head, the helical conveyor occupies the same po- M engages with the clutch coupling 36 at the adjacent end of the gear box shaft 34; Drive is' transmitted from the motor by way of shaft 14, bevel wheels 15 and I6, shaft [1, pinion wheel [8, and train of pinion gearing in gear case 5 to the conveyor shaft 4. cuttings at its forward end and ejects them through the openingsas indicated in Figure 2, the plough 9 shedding the cuttings and facilitating their discharge. The conica1 shield 8% prevents cuttings passing into the gear case 5.

If the jib E of themachine A is to out at the other side of the machine, the conveyor unit B and tubular extension 6 are freed from the carrier C, the carrier C is detached from the aux- The helix 3 draws in iliary gear box D, reversed end for end, and reattached to the gear box D, and the conveyor unit -g B is made fast to the carrier 0 to occupy a position as indicated by the line 28, Figure 2, the clutch coupling 39 of the shaft [4 engaging with the clutch coupling 36 at the left hand end of the gear box shaft 34, Figure 3. both positions of the carrier C, the helix 3 rotates in the same sense, the motor being reversed as between the two positions.

A guard plate 2| is fitted between the forward end of the conveyor unit B and the body of the machine and serves also as a stay for the conveyor structure, and a-guide plate 22 is fitted as shown in Figure 2 to cause the cuttings to be kept In this way, for

in rapid motion as the chain passes round its Sprocket Wheel until hey are released and di-"* rected into the housing 2.

In the example shown in Figure 5, a helical conveyor is'shown arranged tangentially to the cutter-chain as the chain passes round the cuttar-chain sprocket wheel. The conveyor B comprises a substantially cylindrical housing 32 in I the peripheral wall of which there is a receiving opening 23 and a discharge opening 24. Theconveyor B is mounted on the machine A by means I of a carrier C of somewhat similar coristruc case 26 to the shaft of the helical'conveyor. The

sition relative to the gear head as in the case where the cutter-jib is not above the body, and a chute is provided to bring cuttings down to the conveyor.

In the form shown in Figures 6 and '7, A denotes the coal cutting machine, B the helical conveyor, and C the carrier for the latter.

Referring firstly to Figure '7, this shows the crown wheel I driven by means not shown from the sprocket wheel which drives the cutter-chain 3'. An auxiliary gear box D is fitted to the rear of the machine A, this gear box containing a longitudinal shaft 4' and two co-axial shafts 5 at right angles to the shaft 4. At its forward end the shaft 4 has a bevel wheel 6 which engages with the crown Wheel i and motion of the shaft 4' is transmitted to the shafts 5" by bevel wheels I and la. At the outer end of each of the shafts 5 there is a coupling 8 of dog clutch type, the two couplings being directed towards opposite sides.

The conveyor. B comprises a casing 9 of substantially cylindrical form, and a helical conveyor I0 operating within the casing 9.

The carrier C comprises two tubular parts ll directed towards one another with a gap between them to constitute a jaw or clamping arrangement for connection to the machine, A From the tubular parts ll, two arms i2 and 13 extend down to the conveyor casing 9. Within the right hand tubular part II and the right hand arm l2, see Figure 6, transmission gearing is fitted. This gearing comprises a shaft l4 within the tubular part II" and a train of pinion wheels [5' within the arm l2. At the inner end (the central end) of the shaft Hi there is a coupling I6 of dog clutch type. The left hand tubular part I I is telescopic, the inner portion thereof Ha being slidable relatively to the outer portion, and for moving the portion Ila there is a screw ll with an operating head [8. The inner end of the portion Ha is formed as a socket, as is also the inner end of the right hand tubular part II.

' To attach the helical conveyor means to the auxiliary gear box D already mounted on the machine, the portion Ila is screwed back to allow of the gear box D being introduced into the gap between two tubular parts I I of the carrier. The coupling part E6 of the carrier is engaged with the coupling part 8 of the right hand shaft 5 and .the head I8 is screwed up so as to clamp the carrier to the gear box D. The jib E of the machine in Figures 1, 6 and 7 is assumed to be in position for cutting at the right hand side looking forward and the helix It extends more or less parallel with the trailing or ingoing strand of the cutter chain 3. In the casing 9 there cutter-chain and whereby the direction of circulation of the cutterare two similar openings, one at the leading side the other at the trailing side. The opening at the trailing side is closed by a cover l9, see Figure 7, while the opening at the leading side of the casing is open to receive cuttings, which are swept to the left by the conveyor Ill and ejected from the casing 9'.

If the jib is to cut at the other side of the machine, the carrier C is detached, reversed end for'end, and reattached so that the drive to the conveyor is from the left hand shaft the other shaft 5' running idle. The helix I0 is a push fit on its shaft 24, see Figure 6, and it is removed and. a conveyor of opposite hand substituted.

1. A mining machine having an elongated machine body, a cutter-chain, a jib carrying the cutter-chain and capable of operating at either side of the machine substantially at right angles to the length of the machine body, motor means within the machine body for driving the cutterchain and including reversing means whereby the direction of circulation of the cutter-chain can be reversed in accordance with which of the two edges of the jib is the cutting edge, and conveyor means i for dealing with cuttings which emerge with the cutter-chain, the conveyor means being constructed as a unit attachable to and detachable from the machine and comprising a conveyor of helical type, power transmission mechanism, means for securing the unit to the machine in either of twoalternative positions so that the conveyor is in a position to operate in a longitudinal direction relative to the machine at a position offset laterally from1the center line of the machine body at whichever side is remote from, that at which the cutter-chain is operating, to, remove cuttings rearwardly from the vicinity of the cutter-chain, and a coupling device forming part of the transmission mechanism of the conveyor unit, with transmission mechanism on the machine body for the transmission of, power from the motor means aforesaid and a coupling device :forming part of the transmission mechanism of said machine body and engageable by the coupling device of the conveyor unit when the latteris attached to the machine in either of the two positions, the change of position providing for the rotation of the conveyor being maintained i 2. Amining machine having a machine body,

a cutter-chain, a jib carrying the cutter-chain and projecting from the machine body, motor means within the machine body for driving the including reversing means chainon the jib can be reversed in accordance with which of the two edges of the jib is the cutting edge, a conveyor of helical type to carry away cuttings which emerge with the cutterthe carrier to the mounting means in either of two positions differing in that the carrier is reversed end for end, the carrier thus providing for support of the conveyor ineither of two different positions in accordance with the side of the machine at which the cutter-chain is cutting, the conveyor acting rearwardly in both such positions, and a coupling forming part of the transmission mechanism of the carrier to engage with the driving connection aforesaid in either of the two positions of attachment, to complete the drive to the conveyor.

with which of the two edges of the jib is the cutting edge, a conveyor of helical type to carry away cuttings which emerge with the cutterchain, a carrier for the attachment of the conveyor to the machine body, transmission mechanism embodied in the carrier for the drive of the conveyor, mounting means on the machine body to receive the carrier, a driving connection included in the mounting means, clamping jaws on the carrier for detachably securing the carrier to the mounting means in either of two positions differing in that the carrier is reversed end for end,the carrier thus providing for support of the conveyor in either of two diiferent positions in accordance with the side of the machine at which the cutter-chain is cutting so that in both positions the conveyor operates rearwardly in a longitudinal direction relative to the machine body,

and a coupling forming part of the transmission mechanism of the carrier to engage with the driving connection aforesaid in either of the two positions of attachment, to complete the drive to the conveyor.

4. Conveyor means for dealing with cuttings which emerge with the cutter-chain of a cutterchain mining machine, comprising a conveyor to carry away the cuttings, a carrier for the attachment of the conveyor to the mining machine, transmission mechanism embodied in the carrier for the drive of the conveyor, mounting means on the machine to receive the carrier, a driving connection included in the mounting means, means for detachably securing the carrier to the mounting means in either of two positions differing in that the carrier is reversed,

which emerge with the cutter-chain of a cutterchain mining machine, comprising a conveyor to carry away the cuttings, a carrier for the attachment of the conveyor to the mining machine, transmission mechanism embodied in the carrier for the drive of the conveyor, mounting means on the machine to receive the carrier, a driving connection included in the mounting means, securing means for detachably securing the carrier to the mounting means in either of two positions difiering in that the carrier is reversed end for end, the carrier thus providing for support of the conveyor in either of two different positions in accordance with the side of the machine at which the cutter-chain is cutting, a single actuating member by manipulation of which the securing means are operated, and a coupling form in'grpart of the transmission mechanism to engage with the? driving connection aforesaid in either of the two positions of attachment, to complete the drive to the conveyor.

6. Conveyor means for dealing with cuttings which emerge withthe cutter-chain, of a cutterchain mining machine, comprising a conveyor to carry away the cuttings, a carrier for the attachment of the conveyor to the-mining machine, transmission mechanism embodied in the carrier for the drive of the conveyor, mounting means on the machine'to receive the carrier, a driving connection included in the mounting means, clamping jaws for detachably securing the carrier to the mounting means in either of two positions differing in that the carrier is reversed end for end, the carrier thus providing for support of the conveyor in either of two different positions in accordance with the side of the machine at which the cutter-chain is cutting, and a coupling forming part of the transmission mechanism to engage with the driving connection aforesaid in either of the two positions of attachment, to complete the drive of the conveyor.

7. Conveyor means for dealing with cuttings which emerge with the cutter-chain of a cutterchain mining machine, comprising a conveyor to carry away the cuttings, a carrier for the attachment of the conveyor to the mining machine, transmission mechanism embodied in the carrier for the drive of the conveyor, mounting means on the machine to receive the carrier, a driving connection included in the mounting means,

clamping jaws for detachably securing the carrier to the mounting means in either of two positions differing in that the carrier is reversed end for end, the carrier thus providing for support of the conveyor in either of two differentpositions in accordance with the side of the machine at which the cutter-chain is cutting, a single actuating member by manipulation of which the clamping jaws are operated, and a coupling forming part of the transmission mechanism to engage with the driving connection aforesaid in either of the two positions of attachment, to complete the drive to the conveyor.

8. Conveyor means for dealing with cuttings which emerge with the cutter-chain of a cutterchain mining machine, comprising a conveyor to carry away the cuttings, a carrier for the attachment of the conveyor to the mining machine, transmission mechanism embodied in the carrier for the drive of the conveyor, mounting means on the machine to receive the carrier, a driving connection included in the mounting means, and clamping jaws on the carrier for detachably securing the carrier to the mounting means in either of two positions differing in that the carrier is reversed end for end, the carrier thus providing for support of the conveyor in either of two different positions in accordance with the side of the machine at which the cutter-chain is cutting, the transmission mechanism extending from one of the clamping jaws by way of the carrier to the conveyor and comprising a coupling to engage with the driving connection aforesaid in either of the two positions of attachment, to complete the drive to the conveyor 9. Conveyor means for dealing with cuttings which emerge with the cutter-chain of a cutterchain mining machine, comprising a conveyor to carry away the cuttings, a carrier for the attachment of the conveyor to the mining machine, transmission mechanism embodied in the carrier for the drive of the conveyor, mounting means on the machine to receive the carrier, a driving connection included in the mounting means, clamping jaws on the carrier for detachably securing the carrier to the mounting means in either of two positions differing in that the carrier is reversed end for end, the carrier thus providing for support of the conveyor in either of two different positions in accordance with the side of the 'machine at which the cutterchain is cutting, and a single actuating member by manipulation of which the clamping jaws are operated, the transmission mechanism extending from one of the clamping jaws by way of the carrier to the conveyor and comprising a coupling to engage with the driving connection aforesaid in either of the two positionsof attachment, to complete the drive to the conveyor.

10. Conveyor means for dealing with cuttings which emerge with the cutter-chain of a cutterchain mining machine, comprising a conveyor of helical type to carry away the cuttings, a carrier for the attachment of the conveyor to the mining machine, transmission mechanism embodied in the carrier for the drive of the conveyor, mounting means on the machine to receive the carrier, a driving connection included in the mounting means, means for detachably securing the carrier to the mounting means in either of two positions differing in that the carrier is reversed end for end, the carrier thus providing for support of the conveyor in either of two diiferent positions in accordance with the side .of the machine 'at which the cutter-chain is cutting, and a coupling forming part of the transmission mechanism to engage with the driving connection aforesaid in either of the two positions of attachment, to complete the drive to the. conveyor.

11. Conveyor means for dealing with cuttings which emerge with the cutter-chain of a cutterchain mining machine, comprising a conveyor of helical type to carry away the cuttings, a carrier for the attachment of the conveyor to the mining machine, transmission mechanismembodied in the carrier for the drive of the conveyor, mounting means on the machine to receive the carrier, a driving connection included in the mounting means, clamping jaws for detachably securing the carrier to th mounting means in which emerge witih the cutterchain of a cutter-.

chain mining machine, comprising a conveyor of helical type to carry away cuttings, a'carrier for the attachment of the conveyor to the mining machine, transmission mechanism embodied in the carrier for the drive of the conveyor, mounting means on the machine to receive the carrier, a driving connection included in the mounting means, and clamping jaws on the carrierppening and closing in a direction parallel with that in which the axis of the conveyor extends for detachably securing the carrier to the mounting means in either of two positions differing in that the carrier is reversed end for end with consequent reversal of the conveyor end for end in accordance with the side of the machine at which the cutter-chain is cutting, the transmission mechanism extending from one of the clamping jaws by way of the carrier to the,

conveyor at one end thereof and comprising a coupling to engage with the driving connection aforesaid in either of the two positions of attachment, to complete the drive to the conveyor.

13. A mining machine of the cutter-chain type having conveyor means for dealing with cuttings which emerge with the cutter-chain, comprising a conveyor to carry away the cuttings, a carrier for the attachment of the conveyor to the mining machine, transmission mechanism embodied in the carrier for the drive of the conveyor, mounting means on the machine to receive the carrier, a driving connection included in the mounting means, means for detachably securing the carrier to the mounting means in either of two positions difiering in that the carrier is reversed end for end, the carrier thus providing for support of the conveyor in either of two different positions in accordance with the side of the machine at which the cutter-chain is cutting, and a coupling forming part of the transmission mechanism to engage with the driving connection aforesaid in ither of the two positions of attachment, to complete the drive to the conveyor.

14. A mining machine of the cutter-chain type having conveyor means for dealing with cuttings which emerge with the cutter-chain which is driven by a sprocket wheel, comprising a conveyor of helical type to carry away cuttings, a carrier for the attachment of the conveyor to the mining machine, transmission mechanism embodied in the carrier for the drive of the conveyor, mounting means on the machine to receive the carrier, a driving connection included in the mounting means, clamping jaws on the carrier opening and closing in a direction approximately at right angles to that in which the axis of the conveyor extends, for detachably securing the carrier to the mounting means in either of two positions differing in that the carrier is reversed end for nd, the carrier thus providing for support of the conveyor in either of two different positions in accordance with the side of the machine at which the cutter-chain is cutting, the transmission mechanism extending from one side of the clamping jaw by way of the carrier to the conveyor at one end thereof and comprising a coupling to engage with the driving connection in either of the two positions of attachment, to complete the drive of the conveyor, and a guide of arcuate form following the path of the chain as it passes round the driving sprocket wheel, to guide cuttings into the conveyor.

15. A mining machine of the cutter-chain type having conveyor means for dealing with cuttings which emerge from the cutter-chain which is driven by a sprocket wheel, comprising a conveyor of helical type to carry away cuttings, a carrier for the attachment of the conveyor to the mining machine, transmission mechanism embodied in the carrier for the drive of the conveyor, mounting means on the machine to receive the carrier, a driving connectionincluded in the mounting means, clamping jaws on the carrier opening and closing in a direction approximately at right angles to that in which the axis of the conveyor extends, for detachably securing the carrier to the mounting means in either of two positions differing in that the carrier, is reversed end for end, the carrier thus providing for support of the conveyor in either of two different positions in accordance with the side of the machine at which the cutter-chain is cutting, the transmission mechanism extending from one side of the clamping jaws by way of the carrier to the conveyor at one end thereof and comprising a coupling to engage with the driving connection in either of the two positions of attachment, to complete the drive to the conveyor, and a guard plate fitted at the side of the machine away from that at which the chain is cutting between the conveyor and the machine at a position in front of the chain.

16. A mining machine of the cutter-chain type having conveyor means for dealing with cuttings which emerge with the cutter-chain, comprising a conveyor to carry away the cuttings, a carrier for the attachment of the conveyor to the mining machine, transmission mechanism embodied in the carrier for the drive of the conveyor, mounting means on the machine to receive the carrier, a driving connection included in the mounting means, means for detachably securing the carrier to the mounting means in either of two positions diifering in that the carrier is reversed end for end, the carrier thus providing for support of the conveyor in either of two different positions in accordance withthe side of the machine at which the cutter-chain is cut,-

ting, a coupling forming part of the transmission mechanism to engage with the driving connection aforesaid ineither of the two positions of attachment, to complete the drive to the conveyor, and a guard plate fitted at the side of the machine away from that at which the chain is cutting between the conveyor and the machine at a position in front of the chain.

JOHN BRIDIE MAVOR. 

